Testing machine clamping device



Jan. 12, 1954 L HOFFMAN 2,665,603

TESTING MACHINE CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Jan. 20, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l Hummwww a LEO HOFFMAN Jan. l2, 1954 HOFFMAN 2,665,603

TESTING MACHINE CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Jan. 20,' 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IINIIIIHHV IIIIHIWM 1 n IO IO E. f

27 n INVENToR.

LEO HOFFMAN @MM/MW 25 Jan. 12, 1954 L HOFFMAN 2,665,603

TESTING MACHINE CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Jan. 20, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fi g. 8

INVENToR. I f-:o HOFF MA N MMM-LM Jan. l2,l 1954 Filed Jan. 20, 1950 L. HOFFMAN TESTING MACHINE CLAMPING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

' n n-:o HOFFMAN aww/VZW Patented Jan. 12, 1954 TESTING MACHINE CLAMPIN G DEVICE Leo Hoffman, New York, N. Y., assignor to Hydropress, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 20, 1950, Serial No. 139,708

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for clamping articles such as pipes, tubes, and the like and is particularly concerned with a clamping device suitable for use with a machine for testing the mechanical strength and fluid tightness of pipes, tubes, and the like.

In previous devices, arrangements have been provided for placing pipes between two sealing heads, the sealing heads being movable inwardly relative to each other so as to it against or over the ends of the pipe. Thereafter, hydraulic iluid pressure is applied to the interior of the tube for the purpose of testing the mechanical strength and fluid tightness of said tube.

In the testing of pipes or the like in a machine similar to that just mentioned,lthe pipe is moved to a position in alignment with the sealing heads. One of the sealing heads may be mounted on a hydraulic ram in a stationary housing at one end of the machine, and the other sealing head may be mounted on a shiftable carriage at the other end of the machine, said carriage being shiftable along the frame of the machine. The shiftable carriage sealing head may be stationary relative to the shiftable carriage or may be movable relative thereto by means of a hydraulic ram or other movable means mounted on the shiftable carriage.

When the pipe is moved to its position in alignment with the two sealing heads, it is necessary to clamp the pipe so as to hold it while the sealing heads are moved inwardly into sealing relationship with the pipe ends. Also, the pipe should be held while the sealing heads separate upon completion of testing. The pipe may be loaded in any suitable manner into position on the support or saddle therefor of the clamping carriage.

A machine in which the clamping means of the present invention is particularly adaptable for use is illustrated in copending application, Serial No. 139,559, led January 20, 1950.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved clamping means for clamping the pipe in a machine such as the aforementioned testing machine.

j Still another of the objects of the invention is to provide a clamping means retractable so that articles can be moved to and from the article support without interference with the clamping means, the device occupying a minimum of height.

, It is desirable that the clamping arms be arranged so that they will move below the level of the article support in order to permit the articles to be loaded and unloaded with ease, especially where they are heavy, and it is advantageous to be able to roll them onto the support. Also, in many instances, the height available for mounting the clamping means is limited.

In a preferred form, a pair of clamping arms are arranged so that as they are moved upwardly relative to the-axis of the pipe to be clamped and over the same, the arms will be moved inwardly relative to each other to engage and hold the pipe, a motor for operating the same being located between the arms or below the level of the saddle or article support. In the retracted position, the arms are below the level of the pipe and its support. The arms can be pivoted on a reciprocable or movable means which when it is moved in one direction will cause engagement of the arms with cam means for the purpose of moving the arms, preferably a single operating means being used. Counterweights may be employed to move the arms outwardly as the reciprocable means is moved in the other direction. The action of the cams and weights can be reversed. By employing inturned arms pivoted on a reciprocable operating means, together with cam means moving the arms inwardly, the force exerted by the arms during the actual clamping of the pipe can be arranged to be opposite to that exerted by the motor moving the operating means toward the pipe. Also, the angles of the engaging surfaces involved can be made such that the continuing action will cause a large portion, for example of the force exerted by the motor to be utilized in clamping and holding the pipe on the support.

It is to be understood that although the invention is described particularly in conjunction with a pipe testing machine, that it can be used to clamp other articles for other similar purposes. Also, the clamping means can be located with its axis horizontal or vertical and the terms above or below relate to either arrangement.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and descriptions which are merely l exemplary.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of one type of machine with which the invention can be employed.

Figure 2 is a plan view of one form of the invention in conjunction with a moveable clamping carriage.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a xed clampling carriage, a pair of clamping arms being shown in retracted position.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 5 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional View of an alternative form or the invention taken along the line 5--5 of Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a plan View of the apparatusof Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 6. Y Y

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view-er still another form of the invention.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary View partially in section of a modification of Figure 8.

As mentioned previously, the invention will be described in conjunction with a tube testing machine, although it can be used for other purposes. Such a machine is illustrated in Figure l wherein trame. l0 may have a stationary housing Il mounted at one end thereof, said stationary housing having a hydraulic ram or motor i2 for .moving the sealing head i3 relative to frame I0.

A suitable valve arrangement i4 may be employed for the purpose of controlling the flow of ,testingl fluid toa pipe sealed in head i3, supply liney |.5 being employed for supplying iluid to valve I4.

A shiftable carriage IB is spaced from the stationary` housing sealing head, and shiftable carriage i6' may have a sealing head i1. Sealing head I1 preferably has hydraulic ram arrangement i8 for moving the sealing head l1 inwardly and outwardly relative to shiftable carriage i6. Locking means i3 can be furnished for adjustably locking the shiftable carriage i3 in any deaired place on frame i3. Y

Clamping carriages 23, 2i, and 22, which particularly involve the invention herein, are mounted4 on frame iii for the purpose of receiving and clamping the tube to be tested in alignment with the sealing heads. In one aspect, clamping arrangements 2l and 22 may be mounted on clamping carriages movable longitudinally on frame llll and clamping carriage arrangement 2Q may be mounted on a carriage fixed on the frame Referring to Figure 2, a movable carriage similar' to that of 2l and 22 of Figure 1 will be described,` the same clamping means being applicable to the; fixed arrangement 2B. Carriage frame 23 may have rollers 2li rollably mounted on theframe sides of the machine. Lower rollers 25 (Fig. 4.) can be carried by member 26, said lower rollers 25 cooperating with an angle member or track 21 fastened to the machine frame l0 for the purpose of maintaining the carriage properly seated at all times upon the frame sides of the machine.

Saddle or support 28 of any suitable shape can be mounted on the carriage for the purpose of receiving pipe 29 to be clamped.

Reciprocable or movable means 33 is vertically movable by hydraulic motor 3l located between the saddle 28 and said reciprocable means 30, it being understood, of course, that other means for vertically reciprocating movable means 30 can be employed. In the form shown, the required head room is relatively small as compared to locating the cylinder below the means 33.

The clamping elements may comprise oscillatahle or movable arms 32, 33 which can be pivotably mounted at 34, 35 on movable means 30, said arms having overlying portions 36, 31 adaptable to engage pipe 23 and hold the same in place on saddle 28. In the illustrated form, one of the clamping arms 32 comprises parallel members 36 which straddle the portion 31 of clamping arm 33 when the arms are in pipe engaging relationship.

Referring to Figure 3, arms 32 and 33 are shown in their unclamped position so that the ends 3S and 3l are separated relative to each other and are below the upper level of saddle 28', so that the feeding of pipe can be accomplished without interference. The arms 32 and 33 have counterweights 5B and 5I, respectively, said counterweights being located relative to pivots 34 and 35 so that the arms, when unrestrained, will tend to move apart relative to each other. Cams or rollers l35i and 40 are mounted on carriage frame 23 and are contactable with cam surfaces 32, 43 of the clamping arms 32 and 33, respectively. The angles involved can be arranged so that the forces tending to hold the pipe in place when the arms are in clamped position will be about 89% of the potential force developed by the motor 3i.. Figure 3 illustrates a fixed clamping carriage, but the clamping parts are the same as Figures 2 and 4 and have been 'given the same numerals.

When hydraulic motor 3l is operated to move means 30 upwardly relative to the carriage frame 32, cam rollers 39 and it will cooperate with cam surfaces 42 and d3 so that clamping arms 32 and 33 will move upwardly and then inwardly relative to each other and thus move the clamping arms to the position shown in Figure fi, wherein the arms and their gripping surfaces embrace and hold pipe 29 on the saddle 28.

Thereafter', the sealing heads may move relative to the pipe, or other operations may be performed on the pipe or article according to the particular machine involved.

Upon retraction or lowering of Ymovable means 3B, the counterwei-ghts i2 and 43 will cause the arms to move outwardly relative to each other, the cams allowing such to take place.

One or any number of either fixed or movable carriages may be used in combination with each other in order to perform the desired holding function. It is. evident that the hydraulic motor, or other operation mechanism for the movable means can be energized automatically or individually as desired and that it does not neces,- sarily havev tobe located as shown.

.Another form of the invention is illustrated in Figures 5, 5, and 7 wherein saddle 3i! is carried in a carriage frame iii, vthe carriage frame being movable on frame members 62 of the machine, rollers E3. (Fig. 6)y being similar to thosey described for the previous forms of the invention. Clamping arms Ell, 65 are pivotably mounted at 6B and S1 to a reoiprocably movable means 58, hydraulic cylinder 69 being provided for vertical movement of the movable means 33. Counterweights 10 are mounted on the arms similar to those described for the previous forms for the purpose of causing outward movement of the clamping arms relative to each other. VThe counterweights` 1G can have cam surfaces V'H cooperable with cam rollers 12 for causing inward movement of the clamping arms relative to each other as the movable means is reciprocated upwardly. The height of the saddle 50 in the machine may be adjusted relative to its seat 13 by means of shims placed thereunder, bolts 14 holding the saddle in place on its seat 13.

A loading guide 1,5 is mounted at one end to bracket 'l5 by bolt l1. The guide can be attached at its other end by bolt 18 to the saddle, elongated slot 19 allowing the upward movement of ilar unloading arm 80 is provided and .is connected by a pivot 8| to vertical support means 82.

' As arms 64 and 65 are moved upwardly by movable means 68, rollers 12 will contact cam faces 1| and cause the arms to rotate inwardly relative to each other so as to gripand clamp pipe 83 in the saddle B. If a smaller pipe is to be gripped, the saddle may be adjusted by moving it upwardly so as to properly grip the pipe between the clamping arms, the gripping or bearing faces of the arms being properly angled.

In the eventl that it is necessary to adjust cam rollers 12, such can be accomplished by movement of the mounting of the cam roller shaft 84 (Fig. 7). The cam roller shaft 84 is eccentrically V mounted on stub shafts 85, 86, said shafts being rotatably mounted in frame members 81, 88. It is to be noted that the center line of the shafts 85, 86, is off-center relative to the center line of shaft 84. Arm 89 can be mounted on the end of and keyed to shaft 85, said arm having a suitable releasable means 9| for holding it in any of several adjusted positions. Rotation of arm 89 will rotate the roller shaft 84 on its eccentric shafts 85, 8B,

` so that the roller will be adjustable relative to the frame.

A further modification is illustrated in Figure 8 wherein clamping arms |00, |0| are pivotably mounted at |02, |03 to movable means |04'. Movable means |04 is reciprocable by means of a hydraulic motor |05 located between the clamping arms. Saddles |06 are provided for receiving various sizes of pipes as illustrated. Counterweights |01, |08 can be vertically adjusted on rods |09, l0, said rods being carried by clamping arms |00 and |0|. Suitable rotating means can be provided to simultaneously rotate shafts ||5 and I0 so as to adjust the position of each counterweight at the same time, one form of rotating means being illustrated in Figure 9. Cam rollers I and I2 can be mounted on the carriage frame I2 as in the heretofore described arrangements. Rollers |3 serve to support the traveling carriage on the machine frame ||4.

The arrangement in Figure 9 shows a modification of the adjustable counterweight of Figure 8 and shows a means for simultaneously adjusting the counterweights which could also be used with the construction of Figure 8. Weight |30 is screw-threadedly engaged at |3| with rotatable shaft |32, the clamping arm |33 carrying rotatable shaft |32 and weight |30. The clamping arm can be pivotally mounted at |34 to movable means |35. Universal joint v|36 (diagrammatically shown) connects the lower end of rotatable shaft |32 with gear |31, gear |31 being used to drive chain |38, which in turn drives gear |39 connectable with a similar arrangement for the other clamping arm.

The clamping means described herein can be used for various purposes and the details of construction can be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention except as dened in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a clamping mechanism for pipe testing and the like, the combination comprising a frame means, an article receiving saddle on said frame means, a reciprocable means, a pair of clamping arms pivotally mounted on said reciprocable means and movable into and out of clamping relationship relative to each other, cam means on said frame means coacting with said clamping arms for movement thereof, said cam means being related to said clamping arms so that as said arms `move-upwardly, the clamping arms move Kabove a plane of access to the saddle and then the clamping arms move inwardly into clamping relationship relative to each other as the upward movement of the arms continues, and Vmotor means mounted on said frame, said motor means being located under said saddle and between said clamping arms and being connected with said reciprocable means.

2. In a clampingmechanism for pipe testing and the like, the combination comprising a frame means, an article receiving saddle on said frame means, av reciprocable means, clamping arms pivotally mounted on said reciprocable means and movable into and out of clamping relationshiprelative to each other, said arms having cam surfaces thereon, cam means on said frame means coacting with said cam surfaces and moving said arms in one direction relative to each other, counterweights for moving the arms in an opposite direction .relative to each other, said cam means being related to said clamping arms so that as said arms move upwardly,V the clamping arms move above a plane of access to the saddle and then the clamping arms move inwardly into clamping relationship relative to each other as the upward movement of the arms continues, and motor means mounted under said saddle so as to reduce the height required for said clamping mechanism said motor means being connected to said reciprocable means and being movable in a direction toward said saddle to move said arms into article clamping relationship.

3. The clamping mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the counterweights have adjusting means connecting said counterweights to said clamping arms.

4. The clamping mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the counterweights have adjusting means connecting said counterweights to said clamping arms, and means connecting Said adjusting arms together so as to enable simultaneous adjustment thereof.

5. In a clamping mechanism for pipe testing and the like, the combination comprising a frame means, an article support, a motor means located beneath said support, a reciprocable cross arm means connected to said motor, a pair of clamping arms pivotally mounted on said cross arm means on either side of said motor, cam means mounted on said frame outside of said clamping arms, counterweights mounted on said clamping arms and tending to move them apart, and cam following surfaces on said clamping arms coacting with said cam means and moving said clamping arms together as said cross arm means and clamping arms are moved upwardly by said motor means into clamping relationship with said article support.

In a clamping mechanism for pipe testing and the like, the combination comprising a frame means, an article support, a motor means located ibeneath said support, a reciprocable cross arm means connected to said motor, a pair of clamping arms pivotally mounted on said cross arm means on either side of said motor, cam means mounted on said frame outside of said clamping arms, and counterweights mounted on and projecting outwardly from said arms and tending to move said clamping arms apart, said counterweights having surfaces coacting with said cam means for moving said clamping arms together as said reciprocable means is moved, said cam means being related to said clamping arms so that as said arms move upwardly, the clamping arms move move them apart, and camL following surfaces onv saidleiamping armsucoactingf with-said cam rollers and movingsa'iiiclamping arms` together as said cross armf means1-and--ciampirrgamns' are: moved upwardly.

'8. In a clamping mechanism for 'pipe testing machines and the like; the combination comprising a- -irame means; an articlel receiving support onsaidiframe, a=reciprocalilemeans, 'a-motor connected tri-said reciprocable means formoving the same tewardtandfawa'y tromisaid support,P 1a,

pairfofclamping arms=pivotally mounted'- oni said reciprocablemeans, 'cani means mounted? on said framel means, counterweigflits mounted-v ony said clamping arms andt'ending tomove 'them apart, camY following surf aces-on1said clempinelarmsaco acting with saiillcam meanslandmoving'isaid arms together as said reciprocable meansis moved upwardly, and intnr-ned ends onsaidolaxnpin'g arms with articleengag-ing-vsurfaceslangularly disposed relative izo-the longitudinal axis'o theiclamping,

arms; saidsur-faces being 'angled relative' to the clamping arms so that a large percentagei'oi'the `:inward force exerted by the mtor is exerted downwardly an article engaged therewith.

9; In le;y clamping. mechanism for pipe testing 'and theiike, 'the' combination comprising a frame means, an `article receiving saddle on said traine means, a ifeoiproca'bl'e means, a pair of clamping arms pivotally mounted on said reciprocable means andlmovable into and out of clamping elationship relative to each other, cam rollers,- adjin'stably mounted on'said frame means for moving said'- clamp'irgfari'ns in one direction reiative to each other, counterweights mounted on said clamping' means' for moving the clamping arms in opposite directions relative to each other, and motor means connected to said recipro'eable means and mounted' under said 'saddle so asl to reduce the height required for said clamping meclfianisml,v said clamping,r arms moving into clamping' position' above the plane ofY access to said saddle.

LEOHOFFMAN.

References.Citedv in tlie'le of this patent UNT'ED STATS PNTS Number Name Date 148,113 Fieid'et ai' Mar. 3 1874 1,261,432 Parslow Y Apr'. 2, 1918 1,498,879 Loiand .Tune 2.4:, 1924 1,506,075 Neal- Y. Y Aug. 26', A1924 1,612,317- Reed v Dec. 28, 1'926 2,264,508 Carson Dec. 2, 1941 2.269,75; ernhardt etal. Jari. '13, 1942 2.284,9?2' Carson June 2, 1942 2,340,653 niegei Feb. ,'1, 194111 2,396,614Vv Somes s Mar. '12, 1946 2,497-,193 Webb .A. Feb. 14, 1950 

